Ten Litrae of Hieronymos,Tyrant of Syracuse c. 215

Editor: This is a Ten Litrae coin, issued by Hieronymos, Tyrant of Syracuse. Looking at this small object, I'm struck by how it was used to project power. What can you tell me about the socio-political context of this piece? Curator: It’s fascinating how a coin embodies political power. Hieronymos used coinage to communicate his authority and legitimacy. How do you think the imagery on the coin, like the royal symbol and portrait, contributed to this political message? Editor: I guess the portrait and inscription declared his identity, and legitimized his rule? I wonder what the average citizen thought when they saw this? Curator: Exactly. The very act of minting and distributing coinage was a form of propaganda. And you're right, considering the intended audience opens up another layer of interpretation. It also makes you consider: How did the coin itself function within the broader economic and political systems of the time? Editor: That's something I'll definitely be pondering. It's amazing how much history is embedded in such a small object. Curator: Indeed, it offers a glimpse into a society’s values and power structures.